OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Senate has passed a bill that would give Washington state business owners a tax break for hiring unemployed military veterans.

Senate Bill 6049 passed unanimously Tuesday. Under the measure, business and occupation tax credits would be provided to businesses that provide full-time jobs to qualified military veterans who have been unemployed for at least 30 days.

The tax credit would be equal to 20 percent of the wages and benefits paid up to $1,500, according to the bill. The measure would go into effect on Oct. 1, 2016.

Sen. Steve O'Ban, R-Tacoma, said the bill is needed because there's a higher unemployment rate for veterans than for the general population.